Song for this chapter: Young and Beautiful - Lana Del Rey

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December 25th, 1995

There was no vacancy at 12 Grimmauld Place, all of the rooms in use for the holiday break. The entire Weasley family was taking residence here, as well as Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and us. Regulus, Atlas, Elio, and I were all staying at Grimmauld Place for the holidays so that Sirius wouldn't be alone.

Well, he's never truly alone. Remus is here too.

I stepped in front of the mirror in Regulus's bedroom, smoothing out the non-existent wrinkles in my dress. The black gown fell past my ankles, a slit coming up to my upper thigh.

"Darling, can you zip my dress?" I asked, making eye contact with Regulus in the mirror.

He finished adjusting his cufflinks and came up behind me. He pulled my hair to the side, the cold of his rings making me shiver. Regulus slowly zipped up my dress for me, his hands lingering on my body.

"You look amazing," He muttered into my ear.

I turned around and adjusted his tie. "And so do you," I replied.

"We should get going before I take that dress right back off of you," Regulus teased, holding the bedroom door open for me.

I brushed past him into the hallway. "Oh, is that so?" I questioned.

We made our way downstairs, where everyone was lounging around the living room or kitchen.

All of us had celebrated Christmas earlier in the day, and had finished dinner around an hour ago.

"We're off to the Nott's," Regulus announced.

My gaze fell upon Atlas and Elio, both of whom were sitting by Fred and George looking at their new products.

"You boys be good, okay?" I said. "We'll be back late."

"We will be so good, Missus Black," Fred said.

Ginny, who was sitting on the couch, smacked Fred across the head with a pillow, making him wince.

"Bye mum, bye dad," Elio said, barely looking up from the new invention he had in his hands.

Atlas waved, "See you later."

"I think they got the message," Regulus shrugged.

"Have fun at your yearly appearance in high society," Sirius joked, raising his glass. "Do tell me if Malfoy's son is just as much of a prick as him."

Remus stifled a laugh. "Trust me, he is," He muttered.

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The Nott Christmas Ball is the one event a year that Regulus and I get invited to. Regulus figures it's only because he was good friends with Emma Vanity during school. But she's been dead for 14 years.

The ball consists of the wealthiest wizarding families and purebloods, and lots of backhanded comments, directed towards me and our sons, because I "dirtied" the Noble House of Black.

It's quite entertaining.

With the war heating up, I was surprised that we received an invitation this year, but it seemed like the perfect opportunity to eavesdrop and see if we hear anything worthwhile.

Nott Manor is situated in the English countryside, no neighbors for miles. The manor itself just looks expensive, and gives off an eerie vibe.

When Regulus and I set foot into Nott Manor, the sounds coming from the ballroom echoed throughout the foyer. We followed the crowd of people into the ballroom, where groups of people milled about, talking, dancing, drinking, and eating.

"The Blacks are here," Tiberus Nott said.

"Tiberus," Regulus greeted, shaking his hand. "Theodore," He added, nodding towards his son.

"Hello Mister and Missus Black," Theodore said, nodding politely.

His entire posture was tense. Not a single wrinkle on his shirt, not a stray hair. Theodore was in the same year as Harry, but he looked much older with a stoic expression on his face.

"Thank you for inviting us," I said to Tiberus, faking a smile.

He nodded, and Regulus and I joined the rest of the guests in the ballroom.

Regulus grabbed two flutes of champagne from a nearby table and handed me one. We stood off to the side, and I scanned through the crowd of people. One first glance, I fit in here. Expensive jewelry, a nice gown. But all of these people would stone me if given the opportunity.

I stole the Black family heir. I dirtied the bloodline of the Noble House of Black.

We stood off to the side for a bit, and I watched as people milled about in their extravagant clothing, showing off their children to the other families.

"Black."

I glanced over to see Lucius Malfoy approaching. His son, Draco, trailed behind him, and his wife, Narcissa, was nowhere to be seen.

"Malfoy," Regulus acknowledged.

"I'm surprised to see you here," Lucius said. "All things considered."

"I'm not quite sure what you're implying, Lucius," I warned.

Lucius laughed, "Of course you don't. Leave it to the men."

Regulus's jaw clenched, and his grip on his champagne flute tightened.

"Anyways, have you met my son?" Lucius asked. "Draco, come here."

Draco stood beside his father, wearing a similar expression to Theodore.

"No, we haven't," Regulus said.

While I've never met Draco Malfoy, I heard numerous stories over the summer from Harry, Hermione, and the Weasley's.

"He's in the same year as that Potter boy, Nott's son too," Lucius explained. "Draco, this is Regulus and Meredith Black. Regulus is your mother's cousin."

"Nice to meet you," Draco said, his voice monotone.

"Ah, the continuation of the House of Black. It's a shame," Lucius joked.

Regulus tilted his head. "Is it?"

"I'm only joking," Lucius said. He glanced around the room. "I have business to attend to. Draco, come."

With that, one of the most vile men I've ever met left.

"Merlin, I want to strangle that man," Regulus muttered, taking a large sip of his champagne.

I smirked, "Oh me too, but he's not worth the time in Azkaban."

"I'm sorry he said those things," He said.

"It's not your fault, love. It doesn't affect me anymore," I replied.

Regulus frowned, "Still, he's a prick."

"I'm glad we can agree on that."

The music ended, and a new song began to play. A waltz.

"Dance with me?" Regulus asked, extending his hand.

I grabbed my husband's hand and let him lead me towards the center of the ballroom where people were preparing to waltz.

Ballroom dancing was one of the things I've picked up in the 17 years I've been with Regulus. It started off as a joke once we returned to England in 1981. There was a lot of time where we were stuck inside while Regulus was waiting for his trial.

So we would dance around the living room of the flat that we hastily bought at the end of 1981.

It's actually quite fun, but probably only because I'm dancing with him.

The waltz began, and Regulus and I bowed to each other. He was stifling a laugh as he grabbed my hand, which made me fight back a smile.

Another thing I picked up on over the years was French. Regulus is fluent, and started speaking it more often following the war, and he speaks it around the house a lot. I'm nowhere near as fluent in it as him, but Atlas and Elio are pretty fluent.

Regulus spun me as the music crescendoed, and our eyes met.

I held his gaze as his grip on my waist tightened, and he pulled me closer to him.

"You're breathtaking, you know that?" Regulus whispered.

"So I've heard," I teased.

Regulus only smirked at me.

The waltz finished and we bowed once again, before Regulus was intertwining his hand with mine and leading us off to the side of the ballroom.

"Have I told you how much I hate these balls?" Regulus asked.

I shrugged, "Maybe once or twice. Let's get out of here."